Saturday, March 28, 2009
Our New Driver
Joshua is taking a driving class today. The BMW 328i is what he's driving. The course is offered by the non-profit organization, Driver's Edge. The organization is run by a race car driver who was fed up with young driver statistics. Indeed, the number one killer of young people 16 - 2o is car crashes. The founder offers classes to young people which teach them skills to avoid a crash as well as controlling and minimizing a safety compromising situation. The classes are taught by race car drivers in controlled environments. (You can see the race track surrounding the car in the picture.)
One skill Joshua is compelled to demonstrate today is the ability to create a skid and then correct it. I am hopeful that the class will equip him with the ability to drive safer and be accident free for life.
One skill Joshua is compelled to demonstrate today is the ability to create a skid and then correct it. I am hopeful that the class will equip him with the ability to drive safer and be accident free for life.Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Make Me Like Jesus
I want to see myself and others as Jesus does...
Jesus looked at the demon possessed man and loved him. He did not fear the extreme violence before Him. He did not cower or feel repulsion. He loved him and extended His gift - freedom from his bondage.
Jesus looked at the children and loved them. He didn't see them as an interruption. He didn't see them as a nuisance. He didn't see them as walking germs. He touched them. Exalted them as a worthy example.
Jesus looked at the woman at the well and loved her. He didn't angrily reprimand her. He gently, ever so gently, exposed her sin and offered her hope of forgiveness - of new life. He risked His reputation to sit and talk with her.
Jesus looked at the man lowered before Him and loved him. He didn't see him as a disruption. He didn't see the "modification" to the house as destructive. He was glad to be sought. He healed the man and commended his faith.
Jesus encountered the woman caught in adultery and loved her. He was not disgusted by her. He was not indignant. He quieted her angry accusers and sent her away to a life of purity.
Jesus looked at the proud Pharisee praying his arrogant prayer. Quickly his gaze turned elsewhere. He looked at the man who had sinned and was thus grieved and loved him. He used him as an example of proper posture before God.
Jesus looked at the thief on the cross next to Him and loved Him. He didn't revel in his due consequences. He looked beyond and saw his humility - his honest desire for forgiveness and gave it.
Do I - do you - see people as Jesus sees them? Do we love them? Do we grieve for their lostness? Do we remain calm and composed as Jesus always did and create opportunities to lead people to Himself? Do we sit with the sinner and listen to him? Do we love him? Do we sacrifice sleep, a meal, our time to embellish the opportunity? Can we change course and leave our comfort zones to rescue a lost and suffering soul?
I am appalled at myself and at other Christians who lose our way. Our mooring is not fixed as it should be when we neglect to look through the eyes of our Lord at the masses - or the individual - and love them. Lost souls are never a nuisance, a thing to be gotten rid of. They are God's creation with a bit of His nature wrapped 'round.
It is easy to say, b-b-b-b-ut and seek to justify (like I have done), but we should be humble and remember the truth. The truth will set us free to behave as Jesus would and did. Oh that His mercy will extend forgiveness as we have erred.
Jesus looked at the demon possessed man and loved him. He did not fear the extreme violence before Him. He did not cower or feel repulsion. He loved him and extended His gift - freedom from his bondage.
Jesus looked at the children and loved them. He didn't see them as an interruption. He didn't see them as a nuisance. He didn't see them as walking germs. He touched them. Exalted them as a worthy example.
Jesus looked at the woman at the well and loved her. He didn't angrily reprimand her. He gently, ever so gently, exposed her sin and offered her hope of forgiveness - of new life. He risked His reputation to sit and talk with her.
Jesus looked at the man lowered before Him and loved him. He didn't see him as a disruption. He didn't see the "modification" to the house as destructive. He was glad to be sought. He healed the man and commended his faith.
Jesus encountered the woman caught in adultery and loved her. He was not disgusted by her. He was not indignant. He quieted her angry accusers and sent her away to a life of purity.
Jesus looked at the proud Pharisee praying his arrogant prayer. Quickly his gaze turned elsewhere. He looked at the man who had sinned and was thus grieved and loved him. He used him as an example of proper posture before God.
Jesus looked at the thief on the cross next to Him and loved Him. He didn't revel in his due consequences. He looked beyond and saw his humility - his honest desire for forgiveness and gave it.
Do I - do you - see people as Jesus sees them? Do we love them? Do we grieve for their lostness? Do we remain calm and composed as Jesus always did and create opportunities to lead people to Himself? Do we sit with the sinner and listen to him? Do we love him? Do we sacrifice sleep, a meal, our time to embellish the opportunity? Can we change course and leave our comfort zones to rescue a lost and suffering soul?
I am appalled at myself and at other Christians who lose our way. Our mooring is not fixed as it should be when we neglect to look through the eyes of our Lord at the masses - or the individual - and love them. Lost souls are never a nuisance, a thing to be gotten rid of. They are God's creation with a bit of His nature wrapped 'round.
It is easy to say, b-b-b-b-ut and seek to justify (like I have done), but we should be humble and remember the truth. The truth will set us free to behave as Jesus would and did. Oh that His mercy will extend forgiveness as we have erred.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Cute Picture
When we went to the mountains last weekend our friends brought their dog. The dog is a mastiff - a large breed. Jason just loved her. If ever Jason was "missing," we just had to look go see the dog.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Nancy
Nancy started this school year with few basic skills. Writing/coloring were always very hard for her. She wasn't able to form any letter, let alone write her name. Coloring remotely in the lines was also an impossibility. She has worked hard at writing and as improved so much! Amazing. Just in the last week or two, she's been trying to write words by sounding them out. This week she was to make a shopping list. You see it here.
I have a video of her reading, but I cannot get it to upload to the computer (along with several other bloggable videos.)
I have a video of her reading, but I cannot get it to upload to the computer (along with several other bloggable videos.)
James
A friend made ramps for the kids because he knows they've been interested in BMX, skateboarding and roller blading. They have worked on doing all kinds of stunts. This is James.
(Too bad he didn't land his vault from the loft this well. He might not now be in pain.)
(Too bad he didn't land his vault from the loft this well. He might not now be in pain.)
What a shot!
Josiah has been doing round-offs over the ramps. James got this picture in the middle of one.
After I posted the above photo, I found this video. This was taken the first day he tried these. You can tell he's a bit timid - for Josiah anyway.
Misc Jason
As much as Jason doesn't like breathing treatments, he is resigned to them. He actually does it himself, and yes, often falls asleep during them.This is another Spiderman impersonation. Anything that will cover his face and become a mask. So cute.
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